Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1887-01-29
THE COURT AFFAIR.

Proceedings by Which the Mitchell
Bill was Referred to Special Com
mittec.
Bismarck, OAK. Jan. 26-The first
break in the monotony which has pre-
vailed in the house since the bottom fell
out of the combination which was to
revolutionize the house occurred this
afternoon. The order was the second
reading of the house bills, and when the
bill providing for the removal of ths
United States district court from Yank-
ton to Mitchell was reactred, Mentzsr,
whose home is of Lamonre Clty, offered
resolution providing that instead of
being referred to the Judiciary committee
where it would naturally have gone, it
should be referred to special committee
consisting of Messrs. Adams, Sullivan
Morris, Ely and Ward of Turner coun-
ty in the Yankton district hoped the
resolution would not be adopted.
No sufficient reason had been given
for so unusual q course. The judiciary
committee was competent for the proper
consideration OF the bill and there was
no reason to suppose il was prejudiced
or would act unfairly.
Mr.. Mentzer said:
| He had been whipped over the shoul-
tder OF his colleague (Mr. Sullivan) in
this matter until he was indisposed tt
sit down under it any longer. The bill
was one ia which his constituents were
more deeply interested than any othel
likely to come before the Legislature
and it was his duty to see it went into
the hands of committee that would
not stow it III pigeon iioie. Hit
district had been given no place on the
judiciary committee but the opponents
Of the bill who we're represented on il
wanted it referred to no 6ther committee
All he wanted was fair play. He hat
not asked for committee that was al
in favor Of the bill but he wanted It'll
friends in control 80 that If the bill
was called for it would come. He haG
named on the committee Morris, one O
the representatives. OF the Yankton dis
trict, and Moore who he supposed wal
also opposed to the bill. II the bill wa,
defeated in open house he would no,
com 1plain.
Dutch also opposed the resolution
and moved to lay it ON the table. bu
the motion was not seconded. Ware
said:
He was surprised that Mentzer shoult
openly raise the question OF the honest,
of the judiciary committee. He hat
understood him to say that he wishe
the bill referred to committee of it
friends. This WAS remarkable request
and he hoped would not be complse,
with. 1t was reflection upon the Judi
ciary committee which the house In al
fairnesss hould not comply with.
Mr.. ,Mentzer said:
There could be no question of tn
right of reference IN the manner asked
The question was wholly within tn
decision OF the house. He had name
in his resolution committee to whor
he wished the bill referred. In doinl
SO, he ment no disrespect to the speaker
but renlladed him that he Mstzer) wa
not in the com molDation which organizes
the house, and as consequence ha
been left out in the organization OF tn
committees especially that to which th
enepaies OF the bill wished it referred.
was ell well enough for Ward, who wa
in the combination and been cared fo
to talk about what was due the iudIciar
Icommittee, but the standpoint fror
which each looked at the situation wa
. very different, and as result the COZ
cfusionB reached disagreed,
The roll call was proceeded will
When Aiken's name was called he sal
he,as the gentlemen had seen fit to redet
, upon the committee of which he (Aikent
was chairman, should ask to be excuse
from voting. The vote stood ayes q
nays IL; the bill was, referred to th
special committee. The result, howeve
is not to be taken as measure of th
strength of the contending fsctions.
Lis claimed that several votes cast IL
special reference will be against the bill
when it comes up for final passage.
! surprise of the vote was tbs
I the Black Hills, which wise ones ha
counted as in the combination wit
Mitchell, voted against Mentzer's res
J luton. A recount OF those standing @
the outside gives twenty-tonr votes
, assured for Mitchell, which would leay
one yet to insure success. Mentzer
naturally much gratiied at the result
) the first locking of horns, but asser
! that it is not the result of any combine
tion. The bill is now in the easy col
troll OF its advocates, and will only be-
ported when circumstances are favo